Tire chain storage apparatus

Abstract

A tire chain storage apparatus that is configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains. The invention includes a mounting plate that has a horizontal support member extending outward therefrom being perpendicular thereto. Movably coupled to the horizontal support member is a roller support member that is operable to traverse bi-directionally along the horizontal support member. A lower support bar member is operably coupled to the lower end of the roller support member wherein the lower support bar member is beneath and axially aligned with the horizontal support member. A plurality of tire chain support members are operably coupled to the lower support bar member and are configured to receive and retain a tire chain. The lower support bar member has secured thereto an engagement member that is configured to allow a user to move the present invention between its first and second position.

What is claimed is;: 
     
         1 . A tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains wherein the tire chain storage apparatus comprises:
 a mounting plate, said mounting plate being secured to a suitable support surface of the vehicle;   a horizontal support member, said horizontal support member being elongated in form having a first end and a second end, said horizontal support member having an upper surface, said first end of said horizontal support member being proximate said mounting plate;   a roller support member, said roller support member being movably coupled to said horizontal support member, said roller support member configured to traverse bi-directionally along said upper surface of said horizontal support member, said roller support member having a first support member and a second support member extending downward from said horizontal support member;   a lower support bar member, said lower support bar member being operably coupled to said first support member and said second support member of said roller support member distal to said horizontal support member, said lower support bar member having a first end and a second end, said lower support bar member being beneath and axially aligned with said horizontal support member;   at least one tire chain support member, said at least one tire chain support member being operably coupled to said lower support bar member, said at least one tire chain support member having a first upper leg member and a second upper leg member, said first upper leg member and said second upper leg member extending upward from said lower support bar member, said first upper leg member and said second upper leg member being on opposing sides of said lower support bar member and having a void therebetween; and   wherein the tire chain storage apparatus is movable between a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains as recited in  claim 1 , and further including an engagement member, said engagement member being secured to said second end of sad lower support bar member, said engagement member operable to provide an interface to move the tire chain storage apparatus from its first position to its second position. 
     
     
         3 . The tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first support member of said roller support member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion and said lower portion being contiguously formed, said upper portion being angularly mounted with respect to said horizontal support member, said lower portion having a first segment and a second segment, said first segment and said second segment having a void therebetween, said first segment and said second segment being secured to said lower support bar member. 
     
     
         4 . The tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains as recited in  claim 3 , and further including a roller member, said roller member being operably coupled between said first support member and said second support member of said roller support member, said roller member being superposed said upper surface of said horizontal support member, said roller member configured to traverse bi-directionally along the upper surface of said horizontal support member. 
     
     
         5 . The tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said second support member of said roller support member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion and said lower portion of said second support member being contiguously formed, said upper portion of said second support member being angularly mounted with respect to said horizontal support member, said lower portion of said second support member having a first segment and a second segment, said first segment and said second segment of said lower portion of said second support member having a void therebetween, said first segment and said second segment of said lower portion of said second support member being secured to said lower support bar member. 
     
     
         6 . The tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said engagement member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion having an aperture, said aperture operable to engage with a stop plate mounted to said second end of said horizontal support member so as to maintain the tire chain storage apparatus in the first position. 
     
     
         7 . The tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle and provide storage of tire chains as recited in  claim 6 , said tire chain support member having a central connection member, said central connection member configured to operably couple to the lower support bar member adjacent a lower surface thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A tire chain storage apparatus configured to be operably coupled to a tractor trailer style truck and provide storage of tire chains wherein the tire chain storage apparatus comprises:
 a mounting plate, said mounting plate being secured to a suitable support surface of the vehicle;   a horizontal support member, said horizontal support member being elongated in form having a first end and a second end, said horizontal support member having an upper surface, said first end of said horizontal support member being proximate said mounting plate;   a roller support member, said roller support member being movably coupled to said horizontal support member, said roller support member configured to traverse bi-directionally along said upper surface of said horizontal support member, said roller support member having a first support member and a second support member extending downward from said horizontal support member, wherein said first support member of said roller support member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion and said lower portion being contiguously formed, said upper portion being angularly mounted with respect to said horizontal support member, said lower portion having a first segment and a second segment, said first segment and said second segment having a void therebetween, said first segment and said second segment being secured to said lower support bar member, wherein said second support member of said roller support member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion and said lower portion of said second support member being contiguously formed, said upper portion of said second support member being angularly mounted with respect to said horizontal support member, said lower portion of said second support member having a first segment and a second segment, said first segment and said second segment of said lower portion of said second support member having a void therebetween, said first segment and said second segment of said lower portion of said second support member being secured to said lower support bar member, said roller support member having a roller member, said roller member being operably coupled between said first support member and said second support member of said roller support member, said roller member being superposed said upper surface of said horizontal support member, said roller member configured to traverse bi-directionally along the upper surface of said horizontal support member;   a lower support bar member, said lower support bar member being operably coupled to said first support member and said second support member of said roller support member distal to said horizontal support member, said lower support bar member having a first end and a second end, said lower support bar member being beneath and axially aligned with said horizontal support member;   at least one tire chain support member, said at least one tire chain support member being operably coupled to said lower support bar member, said at least one tire chain support member having a first upper leg member and a second upper leg member, said first upper leg member and said second upper leg member extending upward from said lower support bar member, said first upper leg member and said second upper leg member being on opposing sides of said lower support bar member and having a void therebetween;   an engagement member, said engagement member being secured to said second end of sad lower support bar member, said engagement member operable to provide an interface to move the tire chain storage apparatus from its first position to its second position, wherein said engagement member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion having an aperture, said aperture operable to engage with a stop plate mounted to said second end of said horizontal support member so as to maintain the tire chain storage apparatus in the first position; and   wherein the tire chain storage apparatus is movable between a first position and a second position.